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The Knights are set to return home to McDonald Jones Stadium for the first time since round one in March for the club's July 12 blockbuster against Parramatta following the ARL Commission's decision to fast-track the competition's return to home grounds.
As forecast in the Newcastle Herald last week, the club's round 9 clash against the Eels will be transferred from Gosford to Newcastle and is set to be played in front of a reduced crowd of just over 8000 fans.
In a further boost, it might not be too much longer before capacity crowds are permitted to return with Knights CEO Phil Gardner revealing there is a chance stadiums may be completely opened up to fans by August 1 if there is no spike in COVID-19 infections between now and then in NSW.
"There is certainly a strong possibility of that happening which would be a major win for the game," Gardner said.
It would also be a significant win for the Knights, who will play three home games in successive weeks from August 8 against Wests Tigers, Manly and North Queensland Cowboys.
The ARLC announced on Friday it has given approval to allow clubs to return to home venues from round 8 of the premiership.
It will mean the Knights are now almost certain to take on Manly at Lottoland on Sunday, July 5 rather then in Gosford where the two clubs were due to play.
Crowds will be permitted at games in NSW, from round 8 which commences on July 2, provided they are capped at the lesser of 25% of capacity or 10,000 fans. The Queensland Government will finalise crowd restrictions after a trial of crowds of up to 2000 this weekend.
ARLC chairman Peter V'landys said the decision to allow clubs to return to their traditional home grounds from round 8 followed the accelerated return to crowds approval by government and health authorities.
Mr V'landys described the decision as another milestone moment in the game's return from COVID-19 and a tremendous win for fans.
"This is an outstanding outcome for our clubs, our players and importantly our fans who have been so loyal, and patient, throughout this crisis," he said in a statement.
"Our fans are everything and the opportunity to have them back in their home ground stands is the greatest reward of all for their unwavering passion. I cannot wait to see and hear the return of that tribalism which makes rugby league so special.
"I also want to thank the State and Federal Governments for their ongoing assistance and to the Queensland government for allowing crowds of up to 2000 - that's a great result for Queensland fans."
Gardner met with NSW Venues, which runs McDonald Jones Stadium, last Monday in a bid to discuss a financial deal for the Knights to return to their home ground with reduced crowd numbers. The club normally pays around $100,000 per game to hire the stadium.
